What issues do you think are most important

[Nystul]

And I'll argue that it is, or was, pick your era, a cultural norm.  Alternatively, I could offer a different counter . . .

The vaunted 'American work ethic' is, I would argue, of British inheritance. 

Or Scottish?  ;) 

Occhi
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Personally, I always thought that my work ethic came from my German immigrant ancestors, and my laid back side came from the English on my mother's side of the family. The math leads to other conclusions, however, as I am about 85% German and 90% lazy.

I must say that I find great amusement in the notion that the successes of the U.S. were caused by anything and everything except for the virtues and cultures of the Americans themselves. I also find amusement in the idea that successful development is inherently impossible for some nations. There are overpopulated countries with virtually nothing in the way of natural resources that are highly educated meccas of democracy and wealth, and there are plenty of backwards countries with less land pressure and wealths of natural resources. It is the evolving cultures that make the difference, and a lot of people who hate the American culture live in countries that frankly are holding themselves back far more than U.S. influence ever could.